Stuck deciding between 2 different rifles
- Thread starter Masson94
- Start date
ojo de aguila
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
This right here.
I varmint hunt with a long, heavy-barrel Tikka...but this is a good choice because;
1.I'm shooting prone (laying down) and the business end of the rifle is supported by a bipod
2.Shots are almost always 75-200 yards, on a target not much bigger than an apple. Heavy barrel with lots of support=great tool for the job
Based on the calibers being discussed, sounds like it's a big-game rifle the OP is after. Targets are allot bigger, usually allot closer, and when it's time to take the shot...you may have nothing to rest the rifle on/against. A heavy barrel would definitely be working against the OP if an off-hand shot (standing, no support) is required, or, if you need to quickly use an improvised rest like a tree branch. Just my opinion.
I have nothing against Remington 700s or Brownings..but I kind of grew-up associating those two brands with shotguns. lol OF the two though, I'd pick the Remington 700.
If the OP asked "which brand" for a hunting rifle, I'd have suggested Tikka for sure. I've been impressed with every single Tikka I've shot, and my last time I plunked down my debit card...it was for a Tikka T1x. (.22LR) Had a chance to shoot my buddy's Tikka CTR in .223 this past summer, another gem....and hopefully, my next rifle!
1.I'm shooting prone (laying down) and the business end of the rifle is supported by a bipod
2.Shots are almost always 75-200 yards, on a target not much bigger than an apple. Heavy barrel with lots of support=great tool for the job
Based on the calibers being discussed, sounds like it's a big-game rifle the OP is after. Targets are allot bigger, usually allot closer, and when it's time to take the shot...you may have nothing to rest the rifle on/against. A heavy barrel would definitely be working against the OP if an off-hand shot (standing, no support) is required, or, if you need to quickly use an improvised rest like a tree branch. Just my opinion.
I have nothing against Remington 700s or Brownings..but I kind of grew-up associating those two brands with shotguns. lol OF the two though, I'd pick the Remington 700.
If the OP asked "which brand" for a hunting rifle, I'd have suggested Tikka for sure. I've been impressed with every single Tikka I've shot, and my last time I plunked down my debit card...it was for a Tikka T1x. (.22LR) Had a chance to shoot my buddy's Tikka CTR in .223 this past summer, another gem....and hopefully, my next rifle!
why would you need a heavy barrel for a 200yd shot? a decent shot can make 100-200-and 300yds fairly easily with open sights at the range with 30-06/308? what am i missing here?
practice builds more confidence not a heavy barrel. ive been shooting open sights for a few years now. can consistently hit steel at 150, 200,250, and 300 with my k31, swede mauser and ruger gunsight. i would not hesitate to take a 200yd shot on game. what you need is practice. get a range membership and start putting some time behind the gun.
if your shooting 30/06 zero your gun at 200yd so you'll be 3.5 inches high roughly at 100 and 7 inches low at 300 give or take. all shots you can make if you practice and require very little hold over/under.
if you are planning on walking around with it i would avoid the heavy barrel. just adding weight with no real advantage.
just my 2 cents. its your money, do what you want.
practice builds more confidence not a heavy barrel. ive been shooting open sights for a few years now. can consistently hit steel at 150, 200,250, and 300 with my k31, swede mauser and ruger gunsight. i would not hesitate to take a 200yd shot on game. what you need is practice. get a range membership and start putting some time behind the gun.
if your shooting 30/06 zero your gun at 200yd so you'll be 3.5 inches high roughly at 100 and 7 inches low at 300 give or take. all shots you can make if you practice and require very little hold over/under.
if you are planning on walking around with it i would avoid the heavy barrel. just adding weight with no real advantage.
just my 2 cents. its your money, do what you want.
Last edited:
Well there's a reason that the .mil switched to .308 probably.
OP, don't buy a heavy barrel anything.
30-06 is fine for hunting, but if you're only shooting under 200y then a .308 will do all of that, and in a slightly lighter package that is easier to shoot, with a wider selection of modern loadings and bullets for it if you do get bit by the longer range target shooting bug.
I'd personally look at Tikkas first if you're looking for a good gun to be 'set' with, or a rem 700 if you want something to 'lego' around with. I've never owned or shot a Browning, but equally I've never heard anyone sing their praises either, unlike Tikkas (quality of action) and remingtons (ease of parts availability to dress it up).
NWS point about resale is something to bear in mind. If you don't mind losing a $100 or two then buy whatever tickles your fancy and be prepared to sell it on if it doesn't work for you. Wisdom comes from experience, sometimes experience carries a cost.
I would go with the rem 700 as there is so much more available for it if you ever wanted.
Like the others said I would not get a heavy barrel for hunting. The long range models are for long, long range like 600 - 1000 yards. I would get a Rem 700 mountain rifle I have several that all shoot 1” groups at 100yards and are a pleasure to pack around.
Good luck and have fun.
SCG
Like the others said I would not get a heavy barrel for hunting. The long range models are for long, long range like 600 - 1000 yards. I would get a Rem 700 mountain rifle I have several that all shoot 1” groups at 100yards and are a pleasure to pack around.
Good luck and have fun.
SCG
Heavy barrels is not required for long range, however a longer barrel would be more beneficial. I have three (3), soon to have four, which are 27" long and a muzzle diameter of .625 to .675. Longer barrels and the right gun powder (Alliant #26) for the good ole 30-06 will achieve increased velocity. Bull barrels are more of a hinder than help. Don't forget, it's the first shot that counts the most when hunting.
How far are you intending to carry that rifle?
I own a Remington 700 Long Range in 30-06 ..... and ....... uffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff ..... it is heavy!
And I mean ..... HEAVY!!!!!!!
For me, it is a target rifle ..... not a hunting rifle.
I could not imagine myself carrying that rifle around all day. It is way too heavy. But the 100 meters to my tree stand or blind .... and back to the truck ..... ok, ... that I might manage.
The question is ... what kind of hunting are you intending to engage in?
If you are intending to cover more than ... lets say 2 miles on foot on a given day ..... my suggestion ... stay away from heavy barrels!!!
p.s: I can carry my Remington 700 BDL in 30-06 all day .... and it hits an 8 inch circle reliably at 200 to 300 meters.
Last edited:
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Heavy rifles are slow handling .Get a Kimber ,model 70 or a Tikka better than both of the guns you are looking at by a fare margin.I would not buy a new Remington and dont like all of the die cast parts on the x bolt not to mention the triggers on them. Oh ya the stupid 4 screw scope bases.IF YOU BUY A USED ONE BE SURE AND CHECK TO SEE IF THE TWO FRONT SCREWS ARE NOT STRIPED.
